ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Air Force Reserve leadership presented Maj. Michael Medrano with the Airman’s Medal Aug. 2 at the Museum of Aviation.
The ceremony, which took place at the museum’s Nugteren Hangar, put the spotlight on Medrano’s heroic actions that saved the lives of two children during his vacation last summer. Medrano is the C-5 functional manager within Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command’s Directorate of Operations, Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration (A3) at Robins AFB.
Brig. Gen. Michael Schultz, the A3 director, led the recognition ceremony.
According to the award citation, Medrano was fishing at a jetty on July 5, 2023, in Port Aransas, Texas.
“I saw these kids and asked why they had no shoes,” he said. “They say, ‘oh, we always walk in our bare feet.’”
Then, a powerful wave swept the kids off those bare feet. It pulled them back into the water.
Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Medrano rushed to their aid, the citation said. Despite the risk of being pulled into the churning water himself, he clung to the steep side of the rocky jetty and successfully pulled the bloodied children to safety. The major quickly put his military survival skills into practice, assessed their injuries and promptly called 911 for emergency medical assistance.
With great care and caution, he guided the kids along the treacherous jetty, interlocking arms with both children to ensure their safe transit to the shoreline. Once there, he handed them over to the responding emergency medical technicians.
“Medrano’s heroic actions exemplify the highest standards of bravery and selflessness,” the citation said. “His quick thinking, courage and adherence to his military training undoubtedly saved the lives of these endangered children. Through his extraordinary efforts, he has brought immense credit not only to himself, but also to the United States Air Force.”